flint

[Venger]

Mack, if you can't find flint you can always use glass (heavy green wine bottles work well - especially the base which is generally thicker, as long as its flat.)

It's easily available and you wont feel to bad if you mess it up

You might find this useful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh7pc2Q6XFI

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Venger

You might find this useful

YouTube - Flintknapping: Arrow Points From Bottle Bottoms, Practical Primitive

Excellent video! There's so much bilge on youtube that it's refreshing to find an informative and well produced video like this - even if you're not interested in flint knapping.

Three points I noticed:

1) She wasn't, and didn't recommend wearing eye protection.
2) In spite of handing sharp splinters of glass, her hands were still nice.
3) She was left handed!

Jim

[posie]

What are the arrows used for? Nowadays I mean.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by posie

What are the arrows used for? Nowadays I mean.

In America they use them for hunting. It's claimed that the sharp saw-like edges of a flint arrow head is more efficient at killing.

I believe that flint knives were traditionally used by Jews for circumcision. I don't know if they're still used now!

Jim

[mrmack]

thanx venger, excellent video, i've never thought of using glass, and its so readily available, as a beginner its perfect for practicing and cheap. Cant wait to try it out....mack

[posie]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

In America they use them for hunting. It's claimed that the sharp saw-like edges of a flint arrow head is more efficient at killing.

I believe that flint knives were traditionally used by Jews for circumcision. I don't know if they're still used now!

Jim

Goodness, that makes MY eyes water, and I'm female! ! I had a look at the video too, good idea for practicing as Mack said., you could make all sorts of other things too, Jewellery ? Fobs for keyrings,mobile phones,etc., even Windchimes.

[freefeet]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

It's claimed that the sharp saw-like edges of a flint arrow head is more efficient at killing.

Claimed by who? I really don't think this is true! Modern steel broadheads can smash through the toughest of animals - even elephants - and come out of the other side still intact, i've yet to see anyone put a flint headed arrow clean through an elephant.

[loripo]

Other materials have been used for stone tools, such as obsidian, which I understand is used for scalpels as it gives such a fine, strong edge. (Not sure if all materials used needed the property of conchoidal fracturing to give the sharp edges )
Rgarding the modern metal blades, would they be thrown by hand or throwing stick or propelled by a firing mechanism?

By the way this is a question - not a challenge!!!

[posie]

Originally Posted by freefeet

Claimed by who? I really don't think this is true! Modern steel broadheads can smash through the toughest of animals - even elephants - and come out of the other side still intact, i've yet to see anyone put a flint headed arrow clean through an elephant.

I hope nobody tries !..... again...I'd better go !

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by freefeet

Claimed by who?

Some years ago I read this in an American bow hunting magazine. The argument put forward was quite compelling and not disputed.

I really don't think this is true! Modern steel broadheads can smash through the toughest of animals - even elephants - and come out of the other side still intact, i've yet to see anyone put a flint headed .

Ermm, I'd be very surprised if any arrow could pass clean through several feet of elephant flesh 'and come out of the other side' intact or not - certainly not powered by a bow!

Have you actually seen anyone put any arrow, flint or steel 'clean through an elephant'? If you've seen it on the net, post us the links to substantiate your claim.

I also don't think arrows 'smash' their way through flesh - they cut!

Jim